{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Central Europe Matters","title":"Bonus episode: The story behind the podcast","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1370,"description":"Hey listener! I accidentally published the first draft of this episode earlier today. Sorry about that! This represents the final version of the episode. I hope you like it. \nWhy did I quit my secure job in Oslo in early 2025 so that I could dedicate myself full-time to starting a podcast, this podcast?\n⠀\nIn the first three episodes of the podcast, you've met people from all across Slovakia who have shared their fears, hopes and visions for a better country. They have demonstrated openness and vulnerability during our conversations and for that I am grateful to them.\n⠀\nNow it's my turn to be open and vulnerable. Why am I doing this work? Why do I consider Central Europe Matters a mission as much as a podcast?\n⠀\nI owe a great debt to the Bratislava-based post-metal band Besna, whose song Ocean práchu (Ocean of Dust) is the soundtrack to this episode. This episode truly wouldn't have been possible without this hauntingly beautiful track. \n⠀\nPlease let me know what you think of the episode by emailing me at jeff@centraleuropematters.eu. I'd also be grateful if you'd share this podcast with a friend who feels overwhelmed by the current direction of travel in Europe and the world. \n⠀\nI also want to thank my producer Dávid Pál for the beautiful work he did mastering this episode. \n⠀\nYou will have a \"regular\" episode in your feed next Wednesday. \n⠀\nFinally, if you're located in or near Oslo, please join me for the official podcast launch event Tuesday, September 8th from 4:30pm until 6:30pm at Kulturhuset. \nThis episode was executive produced and hosted by me, Jeff Lugowe. Why did I quit my secure job in Oslo in early 2025 so that I could dedicate myself full-time to starting a podcast, this podcast?\n⠀\nIn the first three episodes of the podcast, you've met people from all across Slovakia who have shared their fears, hopes and visions for a better country. They have demonstrated openness and vulnerability during our conversations and for that I am grateful to them.\n⠀\nNow...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/1wT1KDI0_HEdpVeYhqaQlyESRg1HeZe5pVUYeqi1hEI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mYWVm/NmJhOTExMzczNzA5/MjgyNGI1ODliMjdm/NmY5YS5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}